Duke Star Kyle Filipowski Injured in Court Storming After Wake Forest’s Win Over Blue Devils
In a shocking turn of events, Duke star Kyle Filipowski suffered a knee injury during a court storming incident after Wake Forest’s thrilling 83-79 victory over the Blue Devils. The game, held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, ended in chaos as ecstatic Wake Forest fans rushed onto the court before the final buzzer, resulting in Filipowski being caught in the middle of a stampede.
Filipowski, who had been instrumental in Duke’s performance with a team-high 17 points, found himself tangled up in the chaos as fans swarmed the court prematurely. The security failure was evident as the young star was left injured and in pain. Teammates rushed to his aid, helping him off the court and into the locker room as he hobbled on one leg.
Expressing his frustration and disappointment, Filipowski shared his account of the incident with Greensboro’s CBS affiliate WFMY. “I felt a bunch of hits on my body,” he said. “This one was the worst of them. Like I said, it’s just really ridiculous how, you know, that situation’s handled. I’ve already heard that there (are) some videos of (me) getting punched in the back, so I absolutely feel like it was personal, intentional for sure. There’s no reason why they see a big guy like me trying to work my way off the court and can’t work their way around me. There’s no excuse for that.”
The aftermath of the incident was evident as Filipowski grimaced in pain, supported by a Duke staffer as he made his way through the tunnel back to the locker room. Concerned teammates and coaches noticed that he had been clipped during the court storming and did their best to protect him from eager and seemingly unaware Wake Forest fans.
Duke coach Jon Scheyer, clearly frustrated by the dangerous situation, raised an important question in his post-game comments. “When are we going to ban court-storming?” he asked. “It’s a dangerous thing.” Scheyer’s concern for player safety was evident, and he expressed uncertainty about Filipowski’s status moving forward.
In response to the incident, Wake Forest athletic director John Currie issued a statement expressing regret and concern for the injured Duke student-athlete. He acknowledged the security failure and pledged to improve postgame procedures to protect visiting teams and officials. Currie also emphasized the need for a broader conversation about court and field storming, recognizing it as a national phenomenon that requires attention.
ACC commissioner Jim Phillips echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of player safety and calling for an examination of postgame protocols. In his statement, Phillips expressed concern over the increasing number of incidents that put individuals at serious risk. He stressed the need for cooperation from all parties involved, including spectators, to ensure the well-being of everyone present.
The incident has sparked discussions about the dangers of court storming and the need for stricter regulations to protect players and maintain order. Coach Scheyer, reflecting on his playing days, noted the alarming trend of fans storming the court immediately after the game ends. “When I played, at least it was 10 seconds before people stormed the court,” he said. “Now, the buzzer doesn’t even go off and they’re running down the floor.”
Filipowski’s injury is a significant blow to Duke’s lineup as he has been a key contributor this season, leading the team in points and rebounds per game. The talented player, a former five-star recruit, is projected to be a top-20 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with court storming and highlights the urgent need for enhanced security measures and stricter regulations. As the conversation surrounding player safety continues, it is crucial that steps are taken to protect the athletes who entertain us on the court.